Issue 187 | March 11, 2021
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I like to think of the relationship between a minister and a session as a partnership. (...) They get to know each other, how they think, what they believe, what they like. At best, it can be a mutual admiration society. At the least, there should be mutual respect in spite of any differences of opinion regarding favorite sports teams or even political or theological viewpoints. Sometimes, though, the partnership breaks down. (...) Considering the stress we’re all under and have been under for the past year and considering how important worship is in the life of a church, it’s not surprising that pastors and session members may have different ideas about when it will be appropriate to resume in-person worship services. 

Tied to what Ed has written, please consider these two articles
On March 20, Festival of Faith, with Diana Butler Bass, an award-winning author and internationally-known public speaker and thought leader on issues of spirituality, religion, culture, and politics, promises to be a good day for learning, worship, and fellowship, with a variety of workshops available, and all from the comfort of your own home, thanks to Zoom. Today's early registration deadline will determine whether all workshops are a go or if any will be cancelled due to low registration, so if there's one you really want to attend, make sure you register NOW. Click here for complete information, including online registration. Questions? Contact Susan Sharp Campbell at 304-667-9428 or susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com.
A recent email from a Mid Council colleague . asking about West Virginia and Workers’ Compensation prompted a brief journey to get an answer to the question. My learnings prompt me to encourage our churches to take a closer look at Workers’ Compensation insurance. West Virginia law allows churches to be exempt from Workers’ Compensation laws (see CSR 85-8-4.3d). This means that churches are not required to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance. However, making the choice to accept the exemption may be short-sighted.
Now is the time to consider who in your congregation you might encourage to apply to serve on the PWV Youth Council, which is an integral part of our ministry with youth. We have openings for 10 youth, who will be in grades 10-12 in the fall, and 5 adults who enjoy working with youth; we are particularly in need of male adults. Applications and session nomination forms are due to the Presbytery office by March 31.
2-4:30 p.m. April 11 or 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 12 on Zoom
For Christians, the Bible is our foundational book as the scriptures within bear witness to God in relationship to God’s people. This event, offered at two different times, will explore the process of how a library of books, written over a period of centuries, was joined into one book that guides us in our faith in Jesus Christ as we seek to be faithful disciples. Anyone who is interested can attend, and there is no cost; however, registration is necessary in order to get the Zoom log-in.
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 24 on Zoom
Are you a pastor, Christian Educator, member of your church’s Christian Education/Nurture/Faith Formation committee, ruling elder, or Sunday school teacher? If so, this course is particularly for you! As we consider the responsibility for teaching in the church, it will consider how to teach in ways that nurture vibrant, relevant, and life-changing faith in the 21st century, using both in-person and virtual settings. Rev. Dr. Rebecca L. Davis, Associate Professor of Christian Education at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte, is the leader. Cost is $25, with payment due at registration. Registration deadline is April 19.
‘A Matter of Faith’ debuts this week from Unbound and the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.
The PC(USA) and its partners are transforming lives and livelihoods in New York, California, and Zimbabwe.
PWV hunger grants available
Please consider submitting a grant proposal for your food pantry. Grant forms can also be accessed through the Presbytery's homepage.

Grant opportunity for churches involved in social change
Is your congregation working to bring about social change for Christ in your community? Serving in ways that enhance accessibility, eradicate poverty, address hunger and/or racial justice, and strengthen your community? Do you ever collaborate or engage with other organizations to serve these kinds of needs? If so, consider applying for a grant from the Appalachian Community Fund. Email grants@appalachiancommunityfund.org to be added to the Request For Proposals (RFP) list. Grants up to $5,000 are available.
Charleston First preschool is hiring
Charleston First Presbyterian Preschool is seeking teachers for its program serving ages 1 to 5. For the 2021-2022 school year starting in August, a new full-day option will be available Monday-Thursday until 5 p.m. in addition to the half-day program (7:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Monday-Friday), so teachers have two scheduling options: Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or Monday-Thursday 12:15-5:15 p.m. Applicants, send an inquiry letter and resume by Friday, March 12 to searchfirstpresby@gmail.com. For more information or to schedule a building tour, contact Preschool Director Anne Moses (304-343-8961 ext. 128 or anne@firstpresby.com).
  • Board of Pensions tax guides
  • Festival of Faith workshops
  • Board of Pensions news for employers
  • Money-saving maintenance tips for church shutdowns
  • Tips for a Reshaped Reality
  • New round of PPP loans
  • 2021 Per Capita
  • 2021 Shared Mission Pledges
  • Special Offerings calendar
Bluestone Construction
Work began this week on the new RV area at Bluestone. Check out its progress on Bluestone's Facebook.
Enslow Park reimagines laying on of hands for online service
Enslow Park Presbyterian Church in Huntington ordinated and installed new elders last month. The service was online, so Michelly Frizao, an artist at the church, made a wrap depicting the laying on of hands since it couldn't be done in person.

Shirley Birchfield (kneeling, in wrap) was ordained and installed. Jan Gossett (left) and Linda Brewster (right) were installed.

Pastor John Yeager called the experience awesome. "I felt like all the hands represented on the wrap were channeling through me. I almost had to stop the prayer. The Holy Spirit was moving!"
Summer fun at Bluestone (Click either image for a brochure.)
REMINDER: Presbytery office is reopen to the public
The Presbytery office has two staff members present during our regular hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday). Though visitors are allowed, the door is locked, so please ring the bell for access, and someone will let you in. Masks are required, and hand sanitizer is available inside the door.
We invite you to print and include this newsletter in your bulletin or church newsletter, share it with members, and/or distribute it in your community. Click for the MARCH newsletter in color or grayscale.
The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance 2020 report shows the many ways PDA helped others in 2020. (Mission Mosaic, the annual report magazine, will be available later this month.) Of course this included COVID-19 response, but it was also disaster preparedness training, emotional and spiritual care webinars, and development of new resources to educate and guide congregations in their local refugee and asylum ministries. Also, PDA's Flint: The Poisoning of an American City documentary was streamed more than 1 million times on Amazon Prime.
Critical need for volunteers
Do you have time to help with COVID vaccine shot distribution? West Virginia VOAD is looking for volunteers to help with everything from parking to paperwork, phone calls to people herding. Interested? Just fill out the volunteer form here, and then a coordinator will call you about your availability and special skills. Counties are organizing now and will likely need volunteers for the next several months.
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Editor's Note: In order to keep PWV News fresh, articles will generally run for two consecutive issues. If you would like a piece to run longer, please update (with refreshed content, new wording and/or a different photo) and resubmit.